I suspect that in the future, one will not only google one’s name but also ask ChatGPT. While I have not done that for myself yet (probably ChatGPT would not know me), I have done it for 10,000 Birds. See the answers to my two questions below.

Question to ChatGPT: Can you tell me the 10 most important or popular websites for birders, and rank them?

ChatGPT:

Here’s a list of 10 popular and important websites for birders, ranked based on their influence, content quality, and community engagement:

1. eBird

  • Overview: Managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, eBird is the most widely used birding platform in the world. It allows birders to record their observations, explore sightings, and contribute to a massive database of bird distribution and abundance.
  • Key Features: Sightings database, birding hotspots, bird ID tools, community science.

2. BirdLife International

  • Overview: This global partnership of conservation organizations focuses on the conservation of birds, their habitats, and global biodiversity.
  • Key Features: Conservation projects, endangered species lists, advocacy, and research.

3. All About Birds

  • Overview: Also from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, All About Birds offers comprehensive information on bird identification, behavior, and habitat, along with high-quality photos, videos, and sounds.
  • Key Features: Bird ID guide, bird calls, articles on bird behavior and ecology.

4. Audubon

  • Overview: The National Audubon Society’s website is a key resource for bird lovers in North America, providing a mix of birding news, conservation efforts, and resources.
  • Key Features: Bird guides, conservation news, bird-friendly initiatives, educational resources.

5. 10,000 Birds

  • Overview: A collaborative blog focused on birdwatching and conservation, with contributions from birders worldwide. It offers a mix of personal birding stories, species profiles, and travel guides.
  • Key Features: Blog posts, global birding perspectives, conservation focus.

6. BirdForum

  • Overview: BirdForum is one of the largest online communities for birders, featuring forums, galleries, and blogs. It’s a place where birders can discuss everything from ID challenges to birding locations.
  • Key Features: Forums, species identification help, equipment reviews, trip reports.

7. Xeno-canto

  • Overview: Xeno-canto is a community-driven site that focuses on sharing bird sounds from all over the world. It’s a key resource for birders interested in bird vocalizations.
  • Key Features: Extensive library of bird sounds, sonogram analysis, community uploads.

8. Surfbirds

  • Overview: Surfbirds offers birding news, trip reports, photo galleries, and a vibrant community forum. It’s popular among birders for its user-generated content.
  • Key Features: Trip reports, photo galleries, species lists, forums.

9. Fat Birder

  • Overview: Fat Birder is an extensive resource site offering information on birding locations, species, and organizations around the world. It’s particularly useful for planning birding trips.
  • Key Features: Birding guides by country, birding clubs and organizations, trip reports.

10. ABA (American Birding Association)

  • Overview: The ABA focuses on promoting birding in North America, offering resources, events, and publications for birders of all levels.
  • Key Features: Birding news, events, birding ethics, young birder resources, publications like “Birding” magazine.

These websites cover a broad range of birding interests, from citizen science and conservation to community engagement and birding tools, making them essential resources for birders.

Question to ChatGPT: I saw a website named 10,000 Birds. What can you tell me about this website?  

ChatGPT:

10,000 Birds is a well-known blog dedicated to birdwatching, bird conservation, and related topics. It was founded in 2003 by Mike Bergin, and over the years, it has grown into a collaborative platform featuring contributions from various birders and nature enthusiasts from around the world.

Key Features of the Website:

  1. Blog Posts: The site regularly publishes articles on birdwatching, bird species, birding locations, and conservation efforts. These posts often include personal experiences, tips, and detailed descriptions of bird species and habitats.
  2. Global Focus: While it covers birdwatching in the United States, 10,000 Birds has a strong international focus, featuring stories and reports from birders across the globe.
  3. Conservation Awareness: The blog actively promotes bird conservation efforts, raising awareness about endangered species and environmental issues that affect birds.
  4. Diverse Contributors: The site features a range of contributors, each bringing their unique perspectives and expertise, making it a rich resource for bird enthusiasts of all levels.
  5. Community Engagement: 10,000 Birds has fostered a community of birders and nature lovers, often interacting with readers through comments, social media, and birding events.

Overall, 10,000 Birds is a respected and popular resource within the birdwatching community, offering a wealth of information and a platform for sharing birding experiences.

Note on the illustration: It was created by giving ChatGPT the following task: “I wrote a blog post about what ChatGPT says about the 10,000 Birds website. Please create an illustration for this post in landscape format.” ChatGPT created the illustration and also replied “I’ve created an illustration for your blog post. It represents a digital conversation about the 10,000 Birds website, blending nature with digital elements. I hope it fits well with your content!”

Written by Kai Pflug
Kai Pflug has been living in Shanghai for 20 years. He only became interested in birds in China – so he is much more familiar with birds in China than with those in Germany. While he will only ever be an average birder, he aims to be a good bird photographer and has created a website with bird photos as proof. He hopes not too many clients of his consulting company read this blog, as they will doubt his dedication to providing consulting services related to China`s chemical industry. Whenever he wants to shock other birders, he tells them his (indoor) cats can distinguish several warblers by taste.